Home State Police investigate fatal crash in Augusta County
State/U.S. News

State Police investigate fatal crash in Augusta County

Chris Graham

policecar3Virginia State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash in Augusta County that claimed the life of a toddler and seriously injured his mother. The crash occurred at 8:15 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 24, 2013) on Route 720 less than a mile west of Route 723.

A 1999 Ford Mustang was westbound on Route 720 when it ran off the right side of the road. The car first struck a fence and then a tree head-on.

The driver of the Mustang, Stephanie D. Dudley, 32, of Staunton, Va., was flown to UVA Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. She was not wearing a seat belt.

The car’s only passenger, Karl A. Swanson Jr., 3, of Staunton, Va., died at the scene. He was riding in the backseat in a child safety seat.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time. Charges are pending.

Support AFP

Multimedia

 

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].